Behind the Numbers: an EMARKETER Podcast artwork

Are We Addicted? Breaking Down the Social Media Trials and America’s Media Habits | Behind the Numbers

Behind the Numbers: an EMARKETER Podcast · with Ethan Cramer-Flood and Oscar Orozco · March 2, 2026 · 28 min

Summary

This episode delves into the social media addiction trials, analyzing their implications and examining US social media usage patterns through eMarketer’s data. It provides a comprehensive look at how Americans consume media, offering context for the alleged "addiction" scale and forecasting future media trends. Essential listening for understanding digital behavior and evolving media landscapes.

Key takeaways

Topics covered

social media addiction trialsus social media usage statisticsmedia consumption trendsdigital well-beingplatform accountabilityfuture media landscape

Episode description

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss the biggest takeaways from the social media addiction trials so far, what our numbers tell us about social media usage in the US, and where else Americans spend their time consuming media. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, along with Principal Forecasting Writer Ethan Cramer-Flood and Senior Director of Forecasting Oscar Orozco. Listen everywhere, and watch on YouTube and Spotify. Subscribe to EMARKETER's newsletters. Go to https://www.emarketer.com/newsletters Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/emarketer/ For sponsorship opportunities, contact us: advertising@emarketer.com For more information, visit: https://www.emarketer.com/advertise/ Have questions or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at podcast@emarketer.com For a transcript of this episode, click here: https://www.emarketer.com/content/podcast-addicted-breaking-down-social-media-trials-america-s-media-habits-behind-numbers © 2026 EMARKETER Rokt helps marketers reach high-intent customers in the Transaction Moment™—when they’re actively completing a purchase online. Powered by AI and first-party data, Rokt Ads connects your brand with over 400 million global shoppers and delivers outcomes you can count on. Learn more at rokt.com/emarketer to get started today.

Related episodes

Frequently asked about this episode

What's takeaway #1 from this episode?
Social media trials are scrutinizing platform design for addictive features, impacting legal and societal perceptions of tech accountability.
What's takeaway #2 from this episode?
eMarketer data reveals current social media usage statistics in the US, providing a data-backed perspective on "addiction" claims beyond anecdotal evidence.
What's takeaway #3 from this episode?
Beyond social media, Americans are diversifying media consumption across streaming, gaming, news, and podcasts, indicating a fragmented audience landscape.
What's takeaway #4 from this episode?
Forecasting experts offer insights into emerging media habits and future consumption trends, crucial for strategic planning in content creation and advertising.
What's takeaway #5 from this episode?
Listeners will gain an understanding of the psychological design elements driving social media engagement and the broader implications for digital well-being.

Listen